Regardless of the size, lofts and studio apartments have more in common than not. Nearly all lofts and studios are brief on built-in storage, require furniture scaled just-so, and of course there’s the bed-in-the-living-room to compete. Read on for 12 tips for planning your area for maximum comfort, style, and versatility.
Daleet Spector Design
1. Plan a cohesive colour scheme. When you’re able to see your entire living area in 1 sweep of the eye, using colours that all work together is crucial. There’s something about looking at a space where the colours are in harmony which makes the entire space feel neater, cleaner and more pulled together.
2. Consider how your furniture moves jointly. An eclectic look can work well, as long as it is intentional — using a tight colour scheme, as explained above, helps. If you are feeling unsure, sticking with one furniture fashion, such as midcentury modern, is a great way to pull your whole space together.
Reiko Feng Shui Design
3. Use lighting at several heights. Use pendant lights hung lower in which you want to create a more intimate feel — over the dining room table and above a sitting room, as an example. Hang them greater in more “public” spaces such as the entrance hall and kitchen work zones.
4. Define “rooms” with area rugs. It is among the earliest tips in the book, but it is still worth repeating since it works. The most common mistake is using area rugs which are too small for the space. Ideally, select rugs large enough that each of the furniture at the arrangement fits along with it you can always coating a smaller rug on top to add colour and softness. From the dining room, get a rug big enough which you could pull your chair out from the table without bending over the border of the carpet.
11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them
CONTENT Architecture
5. Set up storage. Closets tend to be in short supply in lofts and studios. Build on your storage by taking over one complete wall for the purpose. Fill the wall from floor to ceiling shelving, cabinets or cabinets. Even if the cost seems high, this is something which makes life simpler and more pleasant every day, so it is well worthwhile in my own book.
MusaDesign Interior Design
6. Divide space with open-backed shelving. One of the easiest ways to create a room-within-a-room is using open-backed shelving placed perpendicular to the wall — and it works equally well in small and massive spaces. The trick is to arrange open shelving so that it looks great from both sides. Stack books horizontally rather than vertically; put items in baskets which look great from all angles; and mix in plenty of pretty objects like vases, candles and bowls. Also know about security: if you have young kids, or reside in earthquake country, you will need to fasten the shelving to a wall and/or the floor.
Emily Campbell
7. Insert casters for versatility. The storage piece shown here holds a library on both sides, and apparel on the other — and since it’s on casters, the entire unit could be twirled round or moved apart readily. When there are a few great pieces in the marketplace with casters, they may also be added to nearly any part of furniture you already have. Think about how handy it would be to just wheel your sofa, bed or bookshelf from how in a matter of minutes!
Architecture Workshop PC
8. Use innovative, flexible furnishings. When space is at a premium, smart, space-savvy layouts are here to assist. Think fold-up Murphy beds, evaporating pocket doors, contemporary sofas that convert to spare beds and adjustable height tables for relaxing and dining.
Architecture Workshop PC
With the Murphy bed and sliding door revealed in the previous photo folded away, this miniature studio flat manages to seem spacious and light — also enables the mattress space to be used for another purpose.
mango design co
9. Choose the right scale. Appropriately scaled furniture may make the difference between an area that feels awkward and also one which feels comfy and homey. In a small area, pick the largest pieces you may while allowing ample space to walk them around. Pieces which are too small will only feel uneasy. In a large area, go larger with all the furniture — but maintain it human-scale. Some chairs and sofas in the marketplace nowadays are so humongous that an ordinary person has been swamped sitting in them!
Siemasko + Verbridge
10. Put in a loft bed. A great way to maximize vertical space and create privacy would be to have a loft space built for your bedroom. Carefully consider if you will feel comfortable with a ladder on a daily basis before committing — stairways consume more space, but if it makes you feel comfortable, it might be well worth it. On the other hand, if you are making a sleeping loft for kids or do not mind having a ladder yourself, a space-saving ladder may be a real blessing!
Leslie Banker
11. Use curtains to soften edges and create privacy. Hang curtains to create a space where there’s none, bringing privacy to the bedroom or creating a more intimate sitting room. You might also cover large expanses of windows with floor to ceiling drapes which could be dragged closed for warmth and privacy or opened to let the light flow in.
Adrienne DeRosa
12. Take advantage of ample wall space with a gallery wall. A big wall could be daunting, but it also provides a great chance to create a style statement. You do not need to fill the entire wall at once. Start building your arrangement from the center out, and you’ll be able to keep on adding to it over time until the wall is happily full.
Tell us : Do you reside in a studio or attic? What is the biggest design challenge you face?